NSW MPs vote to release secret vehicle logbooks after Jo Haylen chauffeur controversy
Secret logbooks detailing the use of firefighting planes, choppers and ministerial cars by past and present premiers and ministers will be released after NSW MPs voted unanimously to expose any inappropriate use.
NSW
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Secret logbooks detailing the use of firefighting planes, choppers and ministerial cars by past and present premiers and ministers will be busted open after NSW MPs voted unanimously to expose any inappropriate use.
Prompted by the resignation of former transport minister Jo Haylen following revelations of her use of a chauffeur-driven ministerial vehicle, independent MP Mark Latham on Wednesday moved a “call for papers” for the government to release the ministerial driver and car log books.
The motion included car use by Premier Chris Minns, Labor ministers, the speaker of the lower house, the president of the upper house, former NSW governors and state opposition leader Mark Speakman.
While Labor agreed, it demanded the scope of the documents being released to extend back to March 23, 2019, when the Coalition was in power.
Energy and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said Labor also wanted documents relating to the use of “aircraft assets” to also be released, including “NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) aviation assets” that were used by current and former ministers.
While noting her left-wing colleague Ms Haylen had not broken any rules, Ms Sharpe said it was appropriate that the government had tightened them up in relation to the use of drivers and cars for personal use.
“We’ve obviously had extensive debate and one of our members has resigned as a result of an issue that came to light,” she said.
“But if we’re going to go have a look … we believe that’s something we all need to take into account.”
Independent MP Rod Roberts successfully added an amendment for the government to also release the emails, texts and diary entries relating to the cleaning, repairs and maintenance of the ministerial vehicles.
“I don’t think any of us here are on a witch hunt looking for incidental matters,” he said.
“What I think concerns us all and concerns the public is the egregious abuse of driver and vehicle entitlements.”
The amended motion was supported by Greens MP Abigail Boyd, who said she would also like to see greater transparency in vehicle use.
“There’s a lot of secrecy over these things, and I’m not sure that’s always warranted,” she said.
Mr Latham told parliament his motion had triggered a flurry of activity “and speculation” among MPs.
“Noting the government amendment to include aviation use, Mr Latham speculated whether there might be “another Bronwyn Bishop” in the offing, “lurking somewhere in this building”.
“Well, if so, people need to pay the price, don’t they?” he said.
It is expected the government will restrict some of the documents for only MPs to view.
Ms Bishop ultimately resigned as federal speaker after becoming embroiled in a travel expenses scandal.
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